Why Every Woman Deserves a Portrait Session (Even If She Thinks She Doesn’t)

You've been thinking about it.

Maybe it crossed your mind when you saw a beautiful portrait of a friend on social media. Or when you were updating your LinkedIn profile and realized your photo is from 2015. Or when your daughter asked why there are so few pictures of you in the family albums.

You've thought about booking a portrait session—whether it's professional headshots, family photos, or something just for you. But then the excuses start rolling in:

"I'm not photogenic." 

"I need to lose weight first."

 "It feels vain." 

"I don't have time." 

"Who am I to spend money on myself like that?"

I hear these things almost every week from the incredible women I photograph in Edmonton and St. Albert. And every single time, my heart breaks a little—because these women are leaders, mothers, professionals, and pillars of their communities. Yet they hesitate to celebrate themselves.

So let me tell you something you need to hear:

You deserve a portrait session. Not someday. Not when you're "ready." Right now.

Here's why

1. Because You're Not Invisible (Even Though Society Tries to Make You Feel That Way)

Somewhere after 40, women start to disappear.

Not literally, of course. But you know what I'm talking about. The way you're overlooked and underestimated. 

You're in your most powerful decade—you've built a career, raised families, developed wisdom, overcome challenges—and yet the world acts like you're past your prime.

A portrait session is an act of resistance.

It says: I'm here. I matter. I'm not invisible. I deserve to be seen.

When you invest in professional portraits—whether for your business, your family, or yourself—you're reclaiming your space. You're refusing to shrink. You're declaring that this season of your life is worth documenting and celebrating.

And trust me, the world needs to see more women like you showing up powerfully.

2. Because Self-Care Isn't Selfish (It's Stewardship)

You give to everyone else. You show up for your team at work. You're there for your kids (even the grown ones). You volunteer in your community. You support your friends. You carry so much, and you do it with grace.

But when was the last time you did something just for you?

Not a quick pedicure squeezed between errands. Not a "relaxing" bath while mentally planning tomorrow's schedule. But something that truly honored YOU—your journey, your strength, your beauty.

Here's the truth: You can't pour from an empty cup.

Taking time for a portrait session isn't selfish. It's an investment in yourself—and by extension, everyone you love. When you feel confident, valued, and beautiful, you show up differently in every area of your life.

You lead with more authority. You set better boundaries. You model self-worth for your daughters. You stop apologizing for taking up space.

If you believe God created you with purpose and value, then honoring that creation isn't vanity—it's thanksgiving. It's saying "thank you" for the woman you've become.

"You can't pour from an empty cup. Taking time for a portrait session is an investment in yourself—and by extension, everyone you love."

3. Because Your Family Deserves to See You

Look through your family photos.

How many of them include you?

If you're like most moms I work with, you're the one behind the camera. You're in maybe 10% of the photos, and when you are in them, you're tired, un-styled, or halfway out of the frame.

Your children—and your children's children—deserve better.

They deserve to see you as the strong, beautiful woman you are. Not just in candid snapshots, but in images where you're intentionally celebrated. Where your confidence shows. Where you look like the woman you feel like on the inside.

Years from now, when they look back at these photos, they won't critique your weight or notice the lines around your eyes. They'll see their mother—or grandmother—feeling beautiful and proud. And that will teach them something powerful about self-worth.

Professional family portraits aren't just about the kids. They're about ALL of you.

And individual portraits of you? Those become heirlooms. Legacy pieces that say: This is who I was. This is what I valued. This is how I showed up in the world.

4. Because Your Professional Image Matters More Than You Think

Let's talk about your LinkedIn photo for a second.

Is it professional? Recent? Does it represent the leader you are today?

Or is it a cropped wedding photo from 2012? A casual snapshot? A "this will do for now" placeholder?

Here's what I know about women in leadership: You work twice as hard for half the recognition.

Your expertise is questioned. Your authority is challenged. You're interrupted in meetings. You're held to higher standards than your male colleagues.

So why wouldn't you invest in an image that commands respect?

A professional headshot isn't about vanity—it's about credibility. It's about showing up as the polished, capable professional you are. It's about making potential clients, employers, or collaborators think: "This is someone I want to work with."

Studies show that people form first impressions in milliseconds, and in our digital world, your photo is often that first impression. A high-quality headshot signals: I take myself seriously. I'm established. I'm someone worth paying attention to.

You've earned the right to be seen as the expert you are. Your image should reflect that.

5. Because You're Documenting THIS Season—And It Matters

Life is in seasons.

There was the season of new motherhood. The season of building your career. The season of sleepless nights and endless carpool lines.

And now? You're in a different season.

Maybe your kids are grown or growing. Maybe you're stepping into new leadership. Maybe you're finally asking yourself: "What do I want?" instead of "What does everyone else need?"

This season matters. It deserves to be documented.

Not the filtered Instagram version. Not the "someday when I'm ready" version. But the real, authentic, powerful woman you are right this minute.

Every line on your face tells a story. Every scar is a badge of honor. The wisdom in your eyes? That's earned. The strength in your posture? That's decades of showing up.

A portrait session captures all of that. It says: This is who I am right now. This is what I've survived. This is what I've become.

And years from now, you'll look back at these images with gratitude—not wishing you'd waited until you were "ready," but grateful you celebrated yourself exactly as you were.

6. Because the Women Who Do This Never Regret It

In 14 years of photographing women, I've never—not once—had someone tell me they regretted their portrait session.

But you know what I hear all the time?

"I wish I'd done this sooner."

Women tell me:

• They stand taller after seeing their images

• They updated their photo and got new client inquiries

• They framed their portrait and look at it daily as a reminder of their strength

• Their confidence shifted—not just in photos, but in how they show up in life

• They stopped apologizing for taking up space

One woman told me: "I felt like she put the sparkle back in my eye."

Another said: "These are hands down the best photos anyone has ever taken of me."

And another: "I did this for my daughters—I wanted them to see their mom feeling beautiful."

The transformation isn't just about the photos. It's about what happens AFTER.

"I  wish I'd done this sooner." — Every woman after her portrait session

What Holds Women Back (And Why Those Excuses Don't Hold Up)

Let me address the most common hesitations I hear:

"I'm not photogenic."

This is the #1 thing women tell me, and here's the truth: There's no such thing as "not photogenic." There are only bad photographers. My job is to guide you through every single pose, find your best angles, and make you feel comfortable. You will look amazing—I promise.

"I need to lose weight first."

Your body right now—exactly as it is—is worthy of being photographed. In fact, years from now, you'll look back and wonder why you wasted time waiting. This body has carried you through life. It deserves celebration, not shame.

"It feels vain."

Is it vain to honor God's creation? Is it vain to model self-worth for your children? Is it vain to invest in your professional credibility? No. Vanity is obsession with superficial appearance. This is about honoring who you are and what you've become.

"I don't have time."

You have time for what you prioritize. A portrait session is 1-2 hours—less time than you spend meal planning for the week. If time is your only obstacle, let's find a time that works. You're worth it.

"It's too expensive."

Quality photography is an investment, yes. But consider: You'll spend $200 on a family dinner that's forgotten by next week. These portraits? They're legacy pieces you'll treasure for decades. They're images your grandchildren will see. They're worth it.

"There's no such thing as 'not photogenic.' There are only bad photographers."

What to Expect During Your Portrait Session

If you've never done a professional portrait session (or if your last one was your awkward high school senior photos), let me walk you through what it's really like:

Before your session:

• We'll have a consultation to talk about your vision, what you want to wear, and how you want to feel

• I'll send you a prep guide with tips and suggestions

• You'll feel excited (and maybe a little nervous—that's totally normal!)

During your session:

• You'll start with professional hair and makeup, this is always such a treat!

• I'll guide you through every single pose—you'll never wonder what to do with your hands

• We'll chat, laugh, and create images that capture the real you

• You'll start to relax and even enjoy yourself like most women do in the studio!

  
  

After your session:

• You'll see your images during a private reveal

• We'll select your favorites together and create your custom album, wall art of Folio Box collection

• You'll walk away feeling more confident than when you arrived

You Deserve This

I know you're busy. I know you're juggling a lot. I know investing in yourself feels uncomfortable.

But here's what I also know:

You're an incredible woman. You've built a life. You've overcome challenges. You've developed wisdom and strength that younger you could never have imagined.

And that woman—the one you are right now, in this season, with all your stories and scars and strength—deserves to be celebrated.

Not someday. Not when you're "ready." Right now.

A portrait session isn't about vanity or perfection. It's about honoring yourself. It's about being seen. It's about creating images that reflect the powerful woman you've become.

So stop waiting. Stop making excuses. Stop putting everyone else first.

You deserve this.

Ready to Book Your Session?

If this post resonated with you, I'd love to talk.

Whether you're interested in professional headshots, family portraits, or my signature BOLD Over 40 luxury experience, I'm here to create images that celebrate exactly who you are.

Book a complimentary consultation | View my portfolio | Learn about BOLD Over 40

Or simply reply to this post and let me know what you're thinking. I read every message and would love to hear your story.

You've got this, beautiful. And I've got you.

Warmly,

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Abi is an international award-winning portrait photographer serving Edmonton, St. Albert, and surrounding areas in Alberta. She specializes in empowering women through luxury portrait experiences, professional headshots, family portraits, and her signature BOLD Over 40 project. An alumna of the New York Institute of Photography (NYIP), Abi has been a professional photographer for over 14 years.

Her mission is simple: to help women see themselves as the strong, beautiful, worthy individuals they truly are. Through her boutique-style, all-inclusive service—including professional makeup, wardrobe styling, and custom wall art design—Abi creates an experience her clients never forget. She is wife to Jimi and mother to their three lovely boys.